Healthcare costs in Australia (2026)
Australia subsidises medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The government agrees an approved ex-manufacturer price with each supplier; patients pay a capped co-payment and the PBS covers the rest. For public hospital treatment, IHACPA sets a national efficient price for each type of admission. Public patients in public hospitals are treated free of charge.
Medicine prices in Australia
Every medicine on the official list, with the PBS approved ex-manufacturer price. How medicine prices work in Australia.
Most-listed medicines
- Quetiapine69 productsfrom A$4.00
- Ondansetron64 productsfrom A$3.50
- Rivaroxaban61 productsfrom A$9.11
- Olanzapine53 productsfrom A$3.08
- Metformin48 productsfrom A$3.00
- Rosuvastatin44 productsfrom A$2.50
- Atorvastatin40 productsfrom A$2.50
- Pregabalin40 productsfrom A$3.73
- Methylphenidate39 productsfrom A$16.17
- Buprenorphine38 productsfrom A$4.98
- Lacosamide37 productsfrom A$5.70
- Levothyroxine37 productsfrom A$7.12
Cheapest and most expensive medicines in Australia
| Cheapest | Strength | Per unit |
|---|---|---|
| Aspirin | 100 mg tablet | A$0.015 |
| Paracetamol | 500 mg tablet | A$0.015 |
| Folic Acid | 500 mcg tablet | A$0.019 |
| Allopurinol | 100 mg tablet | A$0.023 |
| Trihexyphenidyl | 2 mg tablet | A$0.024 |
| Phenobarbital | 30 mg tablet | A$0.026 |
| Prednisone | 1 mg tablet | A$0.028 |
| Prednisolone | 1 mg tablet | A$0.029 |
| Most expensive | Strength | Per unit |
|---|---|---|
| Migalastat | 150 mg capsule | A$1,994 |
| Cladribine | 10 mg tablet | A$1,122 |
| Odevixibat | 1.2 mg capsule | A$1,116 |
| Azacitidine | 200 mg tablet | A$945 |
| Risdiplam | 5 mg tablet | A$903 |
| Iptacopan | 200 mg capsule | A$690 |
| Selinexor | 20 mg tablet | A$585 |
| Vorasidenib | 10 mg tablet | A$473 |
Treatment costs in Australia
| Treatment | Price range (local) | Range in USD |
|---|---|---|
| Knee Replacement | A$23,619 – A$30,871 | $16,586 – $21,679 |
| Hip Replacement | A$24,031 – A$34,238 | $16,876 – $24,043 |
| Cataract Surgery | A$4,083 – A$4,083 | $2,867 – $2,867 |
| Coronary Angioplasty | A$14,366 – A$26,976 | $10,088 – $18,944 |
| Heart Bypass Surgery (CABG) | A$42,913 – A$66,541 | $30,135 – $46,728 |
| Heart Valve Replacement | A$50,050 – A$92,839 | $35,147 – $65,195 |
| Pacemaker Implantation | A$17,425 – A$29,515 | $12,237 – $20,727 |
| Gallbladder Removal (Laparoscopic) | A$12,660 – A$22,491 | $8,890 – $15,794 |
| Haemodialysis | A$776 – A$776 per session | $545 – $545 |
| Kidney Transplant | A$59,480 – A$82,188 | $41,769 – $57,716 |
Important: These are published reference prices and estimates, not a quote, and not medical advice. Actual costs depend on the hospital, your health, the exact treatment and your insurance. Always confirm the price with the provider before treatment. Read our disclaimer · Report an error